FS in Maryland: vintage German/European single-shot target pistols

[Fred]

AS OF OCT. 8, 2024, ALL OF THE ITEMS DESCRIBED IN THIS THREAD HAVE BEEN SOLD! THANK YOU!

Douglas Johnson joined the Association in February of this year. He is a 73-year-old retired collector who lives in Maryland. He has a number of interesting German/European single-shot target pistols from the early 20th century. Unfortunately, because of the technical issues connected with this forum, he has found it impossible to list these pistols in the "WTB/WTS" section. Therefore, I have offered to place these before the membership on Doug's behalf. Please communicate directly with Doug about any of these guns, via email at douglas.dean.johnson@gmail.com, or by phone at 301-439-9087. I WILL NOT be monitoring or forwarding PMs, and I cannot answer any questions about these guns.

Doug provided the information which appears from this point on:

Douglas Johnson writes: While I am a new member of the GGCA, I have long been active in other areas of the firearms community. For example, I am co-author of the chapter on Single-Shot Pistols in The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson: Fourth Edition. To view feedback on my sales (over the past couple of years) of some of my non-European firearms, please visit the Smith & Wesson forum and enter my user name, ddeanjohnson, into the "Search This Forum" tool in the Feedback section: https://smith-wessonforum.com/feedback/

I am 73 years old, have serious health issues, and need to divest myself of most of my collections. With respect to the vintage European target pistols listed below, it is my hope that at least some of these cherished pistols will go to "good homes" in the German gun collecting community, an outcome I would find more satisfactory than such cumbersome and impersonal routes of sale such as auction houses or Gunbroker.

On all guns: I have described and represented everything objectively to the best of my ability, but my observations are far from infallible. If any experts out there have additional information regarding any of these firearms, supplementing or correcting anything I've written, I would love to receive it. Please do not hesitate to email or call me to discuss. I will respectfully consider any offer on any gun. I will NOT be offended by being presented with arguments or evidence as to what the actual "market value" is on any of these firearms, such as recent auction sales, etc.

While I have provided a few photos of each gun, I have also provided links to my SmugMug photo galleries on each gun, which contain many high-definition photos, and also in some cases some related documentation.

Buyer will pay the actual shipping costs, 2-Day Air. I am currently using a major common carrier where I qualify for discounted rates. It is my practice to ship every handgun wrapped in a silicone sock, snug inside a brand-new HARD plastic pistol case (usual cost for a long-barreled pistol about $20), all packed inside a robust cardboard box. Generally, I will accept payment for guns by wire transfer (not ACH) or by U.S. Postal Service money orders. Any other payment arrangement is acceptable only if mutually agreed upon in advance in writing.

Despite their vintage character, all of these firearms have frames manufactured or possibly manufactured after 1898 and are therefore governed by the federal Gun Control Act. I can ship directly to a buyer who possesses a valid FFL Type 3 (Collector of Curios & Relics). In all other cases, I will need a copy of your dealer's FFL, and your dealer must accept shipment from non-dealer. (If my dealer needs to be involved, there will be an extra charge.) Although I am NOT a dealer, I do have a FFL Type 03/C&R license.

[End of statement from Douglas Johnson]

Douglas Johnson
Adelphi, Maryland
301-439-9087
douglas.dean.johnson@gmail.com

THIS ITEM IS SOLD (1) Buchel "Winkelblock" target pistol

https://douglasjohnson2.smugmug.com/Buchel-1911-Winkelblock/i-qk9nsBv/A[/url]

https://douglasjohnson2.smugmug.com/Buchel-1911-Winkelblock/i-Z6TC3zM/A]


This is a rare, high-end German target pistol made for a fairly short time starting in 1911. Identified with the firm of Ernst Freidrich Buchel, but more likely actually designed by his son Cuno. ("Under Cuno's leadership the EFB firm quickly became one of the leading makers of German target rifles and pistols during the latter part of the Golden Age of German target shooting, 1985-1914." Alte Scheibenwaffen: German Target Arms 1960-1940, Volume 2).

The pistol is chambered in .22LR, is mechanically sound, and can be fired safely and accurately with .22LR Standard Velocity ammo. The pistol has a set trigger which is fully operative (the trigger is set by depression of the large lever on the left side). There is a trigger adjustment screw behind the trigger, but you'd have to take the wood off to get at it; the slots in the screw are a bit buggered but the slots are still deep. The grips are walnut, I think; they have a right-hand thumb rest. The wood finish on the right side is a bit scuffed up. The bore is good with some little rough spots just past the chamber. The barrel is 14-5/8 inches long.

Markings: On left side of falling block: D.R.G.M. This denotes Deutsches Reich Gebrauchsmuster (German Reich Registered Design), a patent registration. On the left side of barrel: G. Will, Schwerin I/M. This refers to Gustav Will, the distributor for the Buchel guns. The proofmark 0,2gr N.G.P. M/71 refers to Nitrozellulose Gewehr Pulver (nitrocellulose rifle powder).

For more photos, including closeups of sights, proofmarks, etc., see my SmugMug gallery:
https://douglasjohnson2.smugmug.com/...1-Winkelblock/

$2600, plus actual shipping costs. C&R eligible.

******

THIS ITEM IS SOLD (2) Scharfenberg Tell Type 1 target pistol (circa 1900)

https://douglasjohnson2.smugmug.com/Scharfenberg-System-Tell-Type-1-pistol/i-JvvtRjK/A][/url]

https://douglasjohnson2.smugmug.com/Scharfenberg-System-Tell-Type-1-pistol/i-9xPD7Ks/A][/url]


Very rare Scharfenberg Tell Type 1 target pistol. This .22LR target pistol was designed by Georg Scharfenberg (1831-1906). Scharfenberg made various types of firearms (including parlor guns) in his shop in Eisenberg near Mehlis (Germany). This model was issued a DRGM (sort of a patent) in 1892, so this gun is possibly legally an antique, but to be safe I am going to treat it as modern handgun (although C&R eligible), because I think the model was probably produced for at least a few years after 1898.

The pistol has a double set trigger, which is adjustable. The mechanisms all seem to work correctly. I would rate the condition as antique-fine to antique-excellent.

$2900. C&R eligible.

More photos, including close-ups of sights, proofmarks, etc., on my SmugMug gallery:
https://douglasjohnson2.smugmug.com/...Type-1-pistol/

*****

THIS ITEM IS SOLD. (3) Pickert "Arminius" Model 3 target pistol (circa 1925) -- very rare

https://douglasjohnson2.smugmug.com/Model-3-Arminius-free-pistol-Frederick-Pickert/i-TG54dLW/A][/url]

https://douglasjohnson2.smugmug.com/Model-3-Arminius-free-pistol-Frederick-Pickert/i-hGhBp6D/A][/url]


This is a very rare, high quality German target pistol in .22LR, the Pickert "Arminius" Model 3, circa 1925. SN 23. The illustration from the book Guns of the World shows the three models of the Pickert match pistol. The Model 3 is the rarest, not found even in most references. In the 13 years since I acquired this example, I have never seen another Model 3 for sale, or in any collection. I saw one Model 2 (similar, but with a concealed hammer) go for $3,450 in a Julia Auction in 2017.

Very nice blue finish in excellent condition. Some very small dings in the walnut grips. 11-5/8-inch tapered barrel with matted rib. Fully adjustable rear sight. Based on the photo from Guns of the World, the front sight post is apparently a replacement for the original Patridge-style sight. Double-set trigger, adjustable. SN 23. The gun functions fine mechanically. In a review of the Model 2 that appeared in the American Rifleman in January 1926, Hans Roedder concluded that the Pickert target pistol "approaches more than any other the ideal form of target weapon."

$2650, plus actual shipping costs. C&R eligible.

Additional photos on my SmugMug gallery:
https://douglasjohnson2.smugmug.com/...erick-Pickert/

CONTINUED

[Fred]

CONTINUATION OF LISTING OF PISTOLS OFFERED FOR SALE BY DOUGLAS JOHNSON:
NOTE: AS OF OCT. 8, 2024, ALL OF THESE ITEMS HAVE BEEN SOLD.

THIS ITEM IS SOLD (4) Buchel "Tell Model 2" free pistol, owned by Olympic shooter Domenico Giambonini






This is a "Tell Model 2" free pistol, built by German gunmaker Ernst Friedrich Buchel, originally owned by Domenico Giambonini, a top-level pistol marksman in the early 20th century. He was born Nov. 11, 1868, in Switzerland, and died on Aug. 8, 1956 in Bellinzona, Switzerland. The barrel of the pistol contains the engraving GIAMBONINI and BELLINZONA. See the short bio that I have reproduced on the SmugMug photo gallery linked below, from Olympics.com, which says that Giambonini "came from a family of gunsmiths," won his first international championship in 1895, and achieved his lifetime best score at age 68, in 1936.

The Tell Model 2 was popular among European competition shooters of that era, but also sold in the U.S. through the Stoeger catalogs.

I would consider this to be a 13-3/8-inch barrel (12 inches to frame, 13-3/8 inches to opening of chamber). This pistol has a falling-block action-- the large lever in the grip lowers the block to allow loading. It is a strong action.

The pistol has obviously seen considerable use, but is in overall good condition. The bore is very good. As shown, the rear sight has fine-adjustment capacity. The front sight may have an elevation adjustment, but if so I don't know how it works. I have taken this pistol to the range twice, most recently November 2023. Everything functions properly. There is a tension-adjustment screw for the set-trigger (counterclockwise to increase tension), which I have set to a light touch-- some might prefer to stiffen it further.

I think that this pistol was likely used by Giambonini when he was a member of the Swiss pistol team at the 1920 Olympics at Antwerp, although I have no photographic proof or other definitive documentation of that he used this pistol at that event. At the 1920 Olympics, the Swiss team finished 9th in the Free Pistol 50 meter event; Giambonini is listed as a participant in that event, in which the Tell Model 2 would have been the right tool for the job. (Five team members, including Giambonini, won bronze medals that year in the rapid-fire pistol event.)

Frederick Buchel Tell Model 2, inscribed to Domenico Giambonini, circa 1920, $1500, plus actual shipping costs. C&R eligible.

Additional photos of the pistol, and additional documents on Giambonini and the 1920 Olympic pistol events, at my SmugMug photo gallery:
https://douglasjohnson2.smugmug.com/...ico-Giambonini

*****

THIS ITEM IS SOLD (5) Meyers-Coune target pistol with double-set trigger (circa 1910)





A very nice Belgian target pistol, with nicely case-colored frame, micro-adjustable rear sight, and double-set trigger.

There are few visible imprints, no proof marks. Under the left grip panel, "Meyers-Coune" is stamped into the grip frame. On the right grip frame, a 5 is stamped. The left walnut grip panel has a 3 marked on it, and the right panel has a 5 marked on it. Manufacture date estimated roughly as 1910.

The book DIE SCHEINBENPISTOLE, p. 113, has two drawings of a Meyers-Coune .22LR target pistol, but the model depicted in the book does not have features found on my pistol, such as double-set trigger, complex rear sight, etc.

Shoots fine-- set trigger and all other mechanics work properly.

Meyers-Coune target pistol, $1850. C&R eligible.

photo gallery:
https://douglasjohnson2.smugmug.com/...-target-pistol

*****

THIS ITEM IS SOLD (6) Mock dueling pistol (for wax bullets)(French or Belgian) (circa 1908)





This is a very unusual firearm. Based on my research, I believe that it was manufactured around 1908 in Belgium or France for use in mock duels using wax bullets or other special bullets, a sport briefly popular in the early 20th century, especially in France. Olympic marksman and gun writer Walter W. Winans, in his 1911 book The Art of Revolver Shooting, devoted a chapter to a version of this sport. In the chapter, he discussed the use of one type of bullet, the "Devilliers" bullet (apparently a wax-carbon composition), the type of protective clothing to be worn, etc. I have reproduced here a couple of photos from the Kindle edition of Winans' book, which you can get on Amazon for $6 (the copyright has expired).

I know that my gun was a mock-dueling pistol because of the round fixture ("boss") on the front of the trigger guard, to which a metal handguard was attached to protect the hand from the wax or composite bullet (see the photo). Unfortunately, I do not possess this accessory.

The gun is stamped "10.5" (under the forearm), which I take to mean 10.5 mm. Next to that is a Belgian (Liege) black powder proof mark. The action and construction all seem to be very robust. However, according to Winans, when used in the sport (at least in his version), the bullet was propelled only by "a cap with fulminate only [which] gives a hard rap where it strikes."

There are a few rough spots in the rifled bore, but nothing very bad. There are a lot of little spots on finish but no deep corrosion; you can still see some of the original case coloring. The barrel is 10.87-inches. Everything seems tight and functional.

Photo gallery: https://douglasjohnson2.smugmug.com/Mock-dueling-pistol

This is a very uncommon piece and hard to price--I am asking $875 (C&R eligible), plus actual shipping costs. As for all of the other guns described above, don't hesitate to make an offer.



*****

THIS ITEM IS SOLD (7) Drulov Pav single-shot target pistol

Drulov Pav-- a rarely seen single-shot target pistol manufactured in the Czech Republic in 1950. Break-action loading, pull-back cocking. Fun to shoot. 9.75-inch barrel. The rear sight is not adjustable, but the FRONT sight is a dovetail that is drift-adjustable; it is currently set a tiny hair left of center and I considered the sighting very good at 17 yards. This pistol is in top condition and mechanically flawless.





photo gallery: https://douglasjohnson2.smugmug.com/Drulov-Pav

$750, plus actual shipping costs. C&R eligible.

[gun listing ends here]

Please DO NOT send PMs about these pistols -- rather, communicate directly with Douglas Johnson at douglas.dean.johnson@gmail.com or 301-439-9087. Thank you.

[Fred]

UPDATE -- August 29, 2024: Items No. 1, 3, and 5 above are now sold (i.e., Winkelblock, Pickert, and Meyers-Coune). The other items remain available.

[Fred]

UPDATE: As of October 8, 2024, all of these items have now been sold! Thank you!

[Old No7]

Congrats! And good for you!

...And good for me too -- as I'd have to sell my boat to get one of those beauties...

Old No7